Electric self-winding clock



Aug. 2 1927. 1,637,997

c. s. HAM

ELECTRIC SELF' WINDING CLOCK Filed Jan. 17, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l n '-Ill-IIHIII ".wulnmuluummulm A l Ml".

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C. s. HAM

ELECTRIC SELF WINDINC CLOCK Filed Jan. 17, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4K 3 5 In uenor.

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Patented Aug. 2, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAYTON S. HAM, 0F SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 AARON TURNER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

ELECTRIC SELF-'WINDING CLOCK.

Application led January 17, 1925.

This invention relates to electrically-operated self-winding clocks ofthe hour-wind type and the-primary object of the invention is to provide such a clock with various improved features. In clocks of this type an electro-magnetically operated armat-ure is usually provided with a ratchet paWl which operates on a ratchet wheel to wind the clock spring. The circuit to the electromagnet is periodically closed by' a switch operated automatically from the hour hand shaft.` My invention contemplates such a mechanism and combines therewith further means for positively assuring that the switch will remain closed until the spring has been wound a predetermined amount. One object of my invention is to provide a mechanism' for yperforming this function.

Another object of my invention resides ink providing an improved make and break system for interrupting the circuit to the electro-magnet. Ordinarily such a system comprises a pair of contacts normally in the closed position,` the attraction of the armature being adapted tol.break such circuit. My improved system contemplates a pair of spring contacts normally in the open position, the weight ofthe armature normally acting thereon to close the contacts.

For the .successful functioning of a del vice of this type, particularly withalternating currents, it is essential that the contacts should remain closed for a very definite period of time and that the break should be substantiallyvinstantaneous.. Iv accomplish this object by the use of an improved interrupting switch which has combined there. with a bumper spring for taking the falling shock of the armature directly through the switch contacts. Heretofore the armature shock has Vbeen absorbed by a bumper spring placed beneath the armaturen The combining of the bumper spring with the switch contacts establishes a direct and absolutely dependable relation between `the closing of the contacts and the stopping of the falling movement of the armature. This construction particularly adapts the device for use with alternating current and also makes the mechanism adjustment easily convertible for use with either alternating current or direct current as hereinafter described.

lVith the above and other objects in View, my invention consists in the features of construction :and operation set forth in the fol- Serial No. 3,073.

lowing specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In such drawings annexed hereto and forming ,a part of this specification, I have illustrated certain specific embodiments of my invention in a selfwinding clock, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that Dur- Dose.

Referring to the figures of the drawlngszv Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a self-winding clock embodying my invention, the rear plate of the clock being removed to better illustrate the working parts.

. Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof.

Fig. 3 isla fragmentary sectional View through the clock along the hour hand shaft.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing one form of my interrupting switch.

Fig. 5 is a like view illustrating another form thereof.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View illustrating a modification of my invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary face view of a modified form of the switch-controlling mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a like view showing the parts in another section. y

Fig 9 is a logitudinal sectional view there-through.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 5 of the draw-y ings, 1 and 2 indicate the front and rear supporting plates of a clock. The hour hand shaft 3 of the clock is suported by the plates and has the inner enduit of the main spring 5 connected thereto. The outer end 6 of the spring is connected to a gear 7 loose on the shaft. A small pinion 8 rigid with a ratchet gear 9 is in mesh with the gear7. This ratchet gear is adapted to wind the'spring as hereinafter described.

A two-pole electro-magnet 1() is provided for Winding the spring 5. The armature 11 for the magnet is mounted on the lower end of a frame 12 pivoted at 13 and a pin 14 thereon slidably engages in a slot 15 in the free endof an arm 16 loosely mounted on the shaft of the ratchet gear 9. A pawl 17 carried by the arm 16 engages the ratchet teeth of this gear. Rocking movement of the frame 12 is adapted to rock the arm 16 v bling.

and rotate the gear 9 through the pawl'17. A pawl 18 engages the gear to prevent backward rotation thereof. A pair of shock absorbing or bumper springs 1'9 and 20 are provided for assisting in the reverse movements of the armature.

Two binding posts 21 and 22 are provided on an insulating plate 23 secured to the plate 2. The electric circuit extends from the post 21 through a switch 24, lead 25, electromagnet 10, lead 26 and a switch 27 to the post 22. The switch 24 is the main switch in the circuit and controls the operation of the winding mechanism. The switch 27 is an interrupting make and break switch. The electro-magnet 10 intermittently attracts the armatureto rock the same about the shaft 13. The novel features of my invention center around these two switches and their cooperating mechanism.

Switch 27 is illustrated in two forms in Figs. 4 and 5. The construction of these two forms is substantiall the same, the 0nly difference being in t e position of one of the contact elements as hereinafter described. This switch comprises two base conductors 28, having mounted thereon two spaced substantially parallel spring arms 29 and 30. Contact points 31 are provided on the free ends of these arms. The arm 29 is backed up by a bumper or shock-absorbing spring 32 and plates 32 provide the usual rests for the arms. Among the functions performed by these rests may be mentioned: (1) Permitting the adjustment of spring tension by curving the spring before assem- (2) Insuring a more positive and permanent adjustment of contacts. (3) Preventing the breaking of .the contact springs by the vibrating of the same after they spring apart. The end of the arm 30 is referably bent over at 33 for the purpose liereinafter described.

The switch 27 is mounted in the manner shown in Fig. 1. A roller 34 of insulating material, on the upper end of the armature frame 12, contacts with the bent over p0rtion 33 of the arm 30, the weight of the armature 11 or the action of spring 19 being such that the arm 30 is normally held in the switch-closing position as illustrated. It will, of course, be understood that the arm 11 can be operated in posit-ions other than that illust-rated in the drawings and wherein gravity would not o rate to close the contacts. In such a position a spring operating to force the armature away from the oles of the magnet. like the s ring 19, can added and adjusted to per orm this function. The electric energy passing through magnet 10 raises the armature 11 and draws the roller away from the arm' 30. The. arm 30 thereupon moves back to its normal position and opens the switch. This breaking of the circuit releases the armature which a in falls and closes the switch. This ma ing and breaking of the circuit takes place at a very rapid rate and the fact that the switch is normally in the open position leaves the switch closed onl for the instant of time held in such position by the roller 34.

The mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for controlling the main switch 24 will now be described. The V-sha ed switchclosing lever 35 is pivotd at 36, t e two arms of the lever being held frictionally together and adjustable` The upper branch of this lever carries a pin 37 beneath the lower arm of the switch. The lower branch ofthis lever carries a flange 38 which extends laterally over a disc 39 rigid with the gear 7 and over a cam 40 loose on the shaft 3. A notch 41 is provided in the disc for receiving the flange 38 and when the flange is seated therein, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the switch is open. When the flange is on the high part of the cam 40 or the periphery of the disc 39 the switch is held closed. The use of the adjustable pivoted lever 35 permits accurate controlling of the switch contacts and allows the locating of the contacts at any convenient place.

A in 42 extends through the cam 40 and is adapted to coo rate on one side with a pin 43 seated ra ially in the shaft 3 and on the opposite side vwith a radially extending arm 44 carried loosel on the shaft 3 between the cam 40 and t e disc 39. A pin 45 seated in the disc is also adapted to c0- operate with the arm ,44. The pin 43 is adapted to cooperate with the pin 42 to rotate the cam 40 from the shaft 3 and the pin 45 is adapted to cooperate with the arm 44 and pin 42 to rotate the cam 40 from the disc 39, all of which is hereinafter more fully described.

lIn its normal operation, the mechanism as above described is adapted to automatically and priodically wind the spring 5 each hour. Assuming that the spring is partially wound u and that the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, the operation is as follows: l

As the clock continues to run` the hour hand shaft 3 rotates in the direction of t-he arrow and the pin 43 engages against the in 42 and rotates the cam 40 therewith. `ngaging of the cam beneath the flange 38 lifts the lever 35 and closes the switch 24. The armature frame 12 is thereupon oscillated and through the pawl 17 and the ratchet gear 9 rotates the gear 7 in a direction to Wind the spring 5 (see arrow Fig. 1). As the notch 41 leaves the flange 38, the flange is still resting on the cam 4() which is slightly higher than the disc 39. The periphery of the disc, however, is in position to absolutely prevent the opening of the switch until the notch again registers with stead of stop ing in t e switchclosing posi the flange. The cam 40 is holding the flange and must be moved therefrom to again per.`

mit the ange to drop into the notch 41. As the disc nears the completion of one rotation the pin 45 operates through the arm 44 and pin 42 to move the cam from beneath the 'iiange The fiange thereupon drops into the notch and permits the switch 24 to open. The spring has thereupon been wound one rotation and will again automatically repeat such winding when'the shaft 3 carries the cam 40 beneath the fiange 38.

If the electric power is oil' when the cam 40 lifts the lever 35, the cam, being gradually carried on by the running of the clock, again comes around one hour later and closes the switch as before. Upon this second closing of the switch the cam cannot be carried further since the pin 43 comes against Vthe pin 42 which in turn hits the arm 44 vand carries the same against the'pin 45 on the disc 39 and gear 7. If the electric power is still off, the clock will stop at this point but will be rewound when the current again comes on since the cam 40 remains in position holding the switch closed.` Since the cam passed b the flange 38 once when the current was o the winding of the clock from this point will rotate the gear 7 two rotations before the pin 45 will push the cam beyond the notch 41 and permit the ilange to drop thereinto.

If the current goes off during the windin operation, the continued running of the cloc will cause the cam 40 and the-other parts to assume the completely run-down position described above, exce t that the cam 40, in-

tion describe above, will rest at some point in its rotation from this position which is equal to the amount or proportion of a turn which the gear 7 was carried in the last incompleted. rewindinor operation.- It is to particularlyv jinsure the rewinding .of the clock in the last described situation. that the disc 39 has been devised. l l

Rewinding when the switch is held'closed by the disc 39 takes place in the following manner: The incompleted portion of the rotation of the gear 7 is accomplished. Then `as the shaft 3 revolves, the camy40 is carried forward by the pin 43 until the cam closes ,the switch at which time the gear 7 makes two rotations to its normal fully wound-up position. At this position the pin 45 pushes i the cam beyond thefnotch 41 and permits the {iange 38 to drop thereinto.

From the above description it will be seen that the disc-139 itively assures that the switch 24 will be cldclosed until the spring 5 has been woundthe predetermined amount of one rotatiomu Should the electric current be turned oi during the winding operation, the continued running of the clock will have no effect on the switch. When the current again comes ori/the clock will continue itsre-winding in the same manner as though noV interruption had taken place.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9, I have shown a modiication of the above mechanism whereby I insure a greater margin of safety in case of interruption of current supply. The mechanism above described has a margin of one hours and it will be understood that the mechanism can be constructed to rewind a more or less number than this if desired.

In this form of the invention, I substitute a disc 39 for the disc 39. The disc 39 `is provided with a forwardly projecting annular flange 46 slotted at 47 to receive there,

through a Geneva stop gear 48 carried on the' gear 7. A one-tooth gear 49 is carried with a cam 40 lon a sleeve 5() loose on a sleeve 51 also looseon the hour hand shaft 3. The gear 49 and cam 4Q are both secured rigidly to the sleeve 50. The one tooth 52 of the gear 49 is adapted to cooperate with tooth recesses 53 in the Gear 48 and the periphery of the gear Y49- is adapted to coopcrate with arcuate'cut-out' ortions 54 inthe gear 48. The flange 46 is a so cut away at 55 to permit the droppingof the flange 38' of the switch arm 35l thereinto as hereinafter described.

In Fig. 7 the mechanism .is illustrated in substantially the fully wound-up position. The gear 7 is still rotating in the direction `oty the arrow and is carrying thevone-tooth gear 49 and cam 40 therewith.y The flange 38 of the switch arm `is about to ride off the cam 4 0 and dro into the notch 55 cutl into the flange 46 o `the disc'39'. When-such action-'takes place the switch 24 is opened above described. Should the currentsupply be ofi' when the cam closes the switch, the tooth 52 will en age in the first tooth` recess 53 and rotate t' e gear 48.0netooth. Continued running of theclock carries the cam around again and again closes the switch.

If the current supply is on, the clock will pin 42 and rotates lthe cam 40.

rewind the gear 7 two rotations. If the current supply is oil' the tooth 52 will engage `in the second tooth recess 53 and rotate the gear 48 anot-her tooth. This operation can continue until the parts reach the position illustrated in Fig. 8, when, due to the tooth 52 engaging against the periphery of thev gear 48,'the parts will be locked. In this position the cam is holding the switch closed and when the current comes on, the winding gear 7 will be rotated four turns` stopping in the position illustrated in Fig. 7.,

In'Figs. 4 and 5, I have illustrated my improved interrupting switch 27, having comined therewith a bumper spring 32 -for taking the falling shock of the armature directly through the switch contacts as has been heretofore referred to. In Fig. 4 the arm 29 .is bent toward the arm 30 to bring the'contact points 31 relatively closer tcgether than in Fig.v 5. scribed, the rollerV 34 of the armature frame 12 operates against the portion 33 of the arm 30 to bringthe contacts together. In Fig. 4, the( contact will be made much quicker than in Fig. 5 and the arm 29 will be bent backward until contact is made with the bumper spring 32. Also when the roller 34 isv moved in the opposite direction, the arm 29 will follow up the arm 30 and retain the contact until the arm 29 is in the posi-gtion illustrated in Fig. 4.' v

In Fig. 5 contact is made near the end of the movement of the arm 30. The 'switch shown in Fig. 4 is adapted to provide a relatively long make or contact and the switch shown in Fig. 5 is adapted to provide a relativel short make or contact. The switch of Ilig. 4 is particularly adapted to be used in coniiection with a direct current circuit and the switch of Fig. 5 is particu lai-ly adapted to be used with an alternatin current circuit.

eretofore, clocks of the type defined herein have not been adapted for use with alternating current circuits since the make and break switches have been such that the contact time `has been so long that the pull ot' the alternating current magnet is `too weak or. when adjusted short enough to give necessary pull, there is danger of not making a contact at all and consequently failing to operate. Therefore, for alternating electric current. it is not practical to usethe old st vle construction having an armature bumper spring and contacts as two separate and independent units. For this reason clocks of this type have not heretofore been manufactured or sold for use with alternating current circuits. As has been stated, I eliminate this objection by combining thc v make and break switch and the bumper spring into one unit whereby the force re sisting the falling of the armature operates entirely through the contact points 31. This ,w ith a very As has been de-` object is accomplished by backing up spring arm 29 with a bumper spring 32, this spring being adapted to resist the falling of the armature as shown in Fig. l.

lVhen the switch 24 closes a circuit allowing alternating current to flow through the magnet coils there is a momentary rush ot current with rapidly decreasing volume accompanied by a correslionding cycle otl pull on the armature. r1his is very dilferent from the action of a direct current magnet. An instantaneous break as obtained trom a practically rigid contact has a large spark and a small pull on the armature. A contact stitl' back s ring gives a somewhat smal er spark ant a maximum pull. A moderately stitl' back spring, such as l use at 32, gives a very slight spark with a good steady pull. W'eakeninr the spring a little more tends to reduce tIie spark and make the pull too weak to give a steady action.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, I preferably retain the old style bumper spring 20 to assist in taking some of the shock of the armature though this spring can be entirely eliminated if desired. From the statements above made it will be understood that the successful operation ol' a device of this type depends upon establishing a very line and dependable relation between the closing of the contacts and the stopping of the falling movement of the armature, The bumper spring 32 assists in both these operations and, therefore, to obtain this tine relation it is necessary to make the spring 32 of the proper stiength. When the contacts are closed by the falling of the armature the spring 32 is bent back in resisting the fallin action. 'I he contacts are, of course, held cIbsed during this time. Sti'ening the spring will stop the armature (pliicker and shorten the contact time. The c aracter of the bumper spring 32, therefore, definitely times the contact and the contact is extremely sure since the entire resisting force of stopping the armature is through the contact points.

It should be understood that in the above describedV adjustments the other available elements vital to the oscillation of the armature are in each case made to give the best possible action. These elements are substanyrespect to the armature and bumper springs.

6. Load or tension of the clock spring 5 to be wound. r. In Fig. 6 I have shown a modified form of my invention.

In this construction the armature 56 which is attracted by the poles 57 of the electro-magnet 5S is mounted directly on a frame 59 pivoted to the shaft 60 of the ratchet gear 6l. A pawl 62 carried by the armature operates on the gear 6l and a second pawl 63 prevents backward rotation of the gear. The interrupting switch 64 is mounted on an arm 65 adjustable at 66 about a pivot 67. The weight of the armature normally holds the contacts 68 closed, a spring 69 assisting in the armature movements. The spring 69 is located bet-Ween the armature 56 and a plate 70, the plate being adjustable at 71 about a pivot 72 to vary the position of the spring relative to the armature. The operation of this construction is substantially the same as that above described. Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desirel to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A self-winding spring-operated mechanism comprising the combination of a shaft and a ooil spring having one end secured to the shaft, means loosely mounted on the shaft vand havirrgthe other end of the spring connected thereto, electrically operated means cooperating with the iii-st mentioned means to wind the spring, a switch for con- .trolllng the electrically operated means,

means automatically operated by the shaft 'for closing the switch, and means cooperating with the first mentioned means for positively' assuring that the switch will .rei

main closed until the spring has been wound a predetermined amount.

2; A self-winding spring-operated mechanism comprising the combination of a shaft and apcoil spring having one end secured to the shaft, means loosely mounted on the shaft and having the other end of the spring connected thereto, electrically operated means cmiperating with the firstmentioned means to lwind the spring,a switch for controlling the electrically operated means, and means carried by the first mentioned means and adapted to keep the switch closed should the electric power be interrupted during the winding operation.

3. A self-winding spring-operated mechanism comprising the combination of a shaft and a coil spring having one vend secured to the shaft, a gear loosely mounted on the sha-ft and having the other end of the spring connected thereto, electrically operated means cooperating with the gear to wind the spring, a switch for controlling the electrically operated means, means including a cam carried by the shaft for closing the switch, a disc carried by the gear and having a notch therein for receiving the switch closing means in a manner permitting the switch'to open, the cam being adapted to close the switch when the cam reaches a. predetermined position and -the disc being adapted to rotate during the winding operation and to assure that the switch will be held closed until the gear makes a predetermined rotation and brings the notch around to its initial position whereupon the switch-closing means drops thereinto.

4:. A self-winding spring-operated mechried by the shaft, a disc rigidly carried by the gear and having a notch therein, switchclosiug means in the path of the cam and disc, means carried by the shaft for moving t-he cam to a position closin the switch, the

disc being adapted to rotate uring the winding operation and to assure that the switch will be held closed until the gear makes a predetermined rotation and brings the notch around to its normal positionwhereupon the switch-closing means drops thereinto, and means carried by the gear for moving the cam beyond the switch-closing means.

:mism comprising the combination of ashaft and a coil spring having one end secured to the shaft, means loosely mounted on the 'shaftand having the other end of the spring connected thereto, electrically operated means cooperating with the first mentioned means` to wind the spring, a switch for con- A self-winding spring-operated mech-v trolling the electrically operated means,

means automatically operated by the` shaft and including a suitably pivoted lever having one end adjacent the shaft andtheother end adjacent the switch for transmittingthe switch-closing motion from the shaft to the switch at any convenient location, and means cooperating with .the first mentioned means for keeping the switch closed should the electric power be interrupted during .the winding operation.

6. A self-winding spring-operated mechanism comprising the combination of a shaft and av coi'lspring having one endsecured t0 the shaft, means -loosely mounted on the shaft anfl having the other end of the spring connected thereto, electrically operated means cooperating with the first mentioned means to wind the spring, a switch for controlling the electrically operated means, means automaticall operated by the shaft for periodically clbsing the switch, and means cooperating' with the first mentioned means for positively assuring that the switch will remain closed until the spring has normally been wound a predetermined amount, the last stated means including coo rating mechanism whereby the spring Will autothe notch `around to its initial matically wound more than the predetermined amount at a later winding should the winding mechanism fail to function at one of the periodic winding periods.

7. A self-winding spring-operated mechanism comprising the combination of a shaft and a coil spring having one end secured to the shaft, a gear loosely mounted on the shaft and having the other end of the -spring connected thereto, electrically operate means cooperating with the gear to wind the spring, a sw'tch for controlling the electrically operated means, means including a cam carried by the sha-ft for closing the Switch at a predetermined position in one rotation 'of the shaft, and means for. causing the switch to open after one rotation of the gear, the last stated means including cooperating mechanism whereby the predetermlned rotation of the gear may be automatically increased to three or more rotations 'thereof tov y wind the spring to its normally wound up position should the electric power have failed to function at the regular winding period. t t

8. A self-winding spring-operated mechanism comprising the combination of a shaft `and a coil spring having one end secured an element carried by the gear and having a notch therein, the last stated means including a V-shaped lever having one arm cooperating with the'swtch and the other arm cooperating withthe cam, the cam being adapted to close the'switch when the `cam reaches a predetermined position and .the element being adapted to rotate during'the winding operation and to assure that the switch will be held closed until the gear makes a predetermined rotation and brings osition whereupon the said other arm of t e lever drops thereinto andv permits the switch to o en. p9. An electrically o erated winding mechanism lcomprising tlie combination of an electro-magnet, a pair of contacts in the electro-magnet circuit, the contacts normally .tending to move to the open position, an

` ated by movement of the armature to rotate the wheel in one direction, the construction being such that attraction of the armature permits the contacts to open and the falling of the armature closes the contacts, and resilient means cooperating with the other contact for receiving the falling shock ofthe armature through the contacts.

10. An electrically operated winding mechanism comprising the combination of an electro-magnet, a pair of contacts in the electro-magnet circuit, the contacts normally tending to` move to the open position, an armature cooperating, with the electromagnet and plvoted in such a manner that the weight of the armature normally holds the contacts closed, a wheel, means engaging the Wheel and operated bv movement of the armature to rotate the Wheel, the construction being such that attraction of the armature permits the contacts to open and the falling of the armature closes the contacts, and resilient means cooperatinrr with the contacts for receiving the falling shock of the armature through the contacts.

11. An electrically operated winding mechanism comprising the combination of an electro-magnet, a pair of spring arms in the electro-magnet circuit, a air of cooperating contacts on the free en s of the arms, the arms normally-'tending to separate the contacts, an armature cooperating with the electro-magnet and having means normally engaging one ofi the arms in a manner holding the contacts closed, a Wheel, means engaging the wheel and operated by- 'movement of the armature to rotate the wheel, the construction being such that attraction of the armature permits the contacts to open and the falling of the armature closes 'the contacts, and a bumper spring engaging the rear face of the other arm for receiving the falling shock vof the armature through the contacts.

CLAYTON S. HAM. 

